UN Secretary-General's message on World Telecommunication and Information Day, 17 May 2020

Watch the video message here.

Filipino translation of the message found below.

Information technology can be a beacon of hope, allowing billions of people around the world to connect.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these connections – with loved ones, with schools and colleges, with workplaces, with healthcare professionals and essential supplies– are more important than ever.

The International Telecommunication Union continues to work with the information and communication technology community and UN agencies to help manage and end this crisis, and recover better.

New technologies, from 5G and big data to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, are powerful tools to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, including the pandemic.

Leaving no one behind means leaving no one offline.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day reminds us that international cooperation on digital technology is essential to help defeat COVID-19 and achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Thank you.

[Filipino translation follows]

Ang teknolohiyang pang-impormasyon ay bukal ng pag-asa, dahil pinahihintulutan nitong mag-ugnayan ang mga tao sa mundo.

Sa panahon ng pandemyang COVID-19, ang paguugnayan—sa ating mga minamahal, sa mga paaralan at kolehiyo, sa lugar ng empleyo, sa mga manggagawang pang-kalusugan at esensyal na mga gamit—ay mas higit na mahalaga.

Patuloy na nakikipagtulungan ang International Telecommunication Union sa mga ahensiya ng UN, at sa komunidad ng impormasyon at teknolohiyang pang-komunikasyon upang mapangasiwaan at tuldukan ang krisis, at makabangon nang mas maigi.

Ang mga makabagong teknolohiya, tulad ng 5G, big data, cloud computing at artificial intelligence, ay mabisang instrumento upang ating maharap ang mga hamon sa mundo, kasama na rito ang pandemya.

Kapag sinabing walang iwanan, ibig sabihin din nito na walang maiiwan na hindi konektado.

Ang paalala sa atin ng World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ay ang kahalagahan ng teknolohiyang digital upang mapagtagumpayan ang COVID-19 at makamtan ang 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Salamat. [Nagtatapos]

Translated to Filipino by Teresa Debuque, national information officer, UN Information Centre (UNIC) Manila